Art,
I remember when I was a technician, and the VP of service told all techs that we had to be at our first call at 8AM. I said fine, what do you want me to do about picking up parts? He said that I had to pick them up before 8AM. I asked are you going to pay me the overtime, and he said no.
I told him that the labor board said he had to. He turned a shade of gray and asked "Did you speak to the labor board?" I said did. but for advice, I haven't filed a complaint (YET was unspoken, but heavily implied). I told him that the labor board said that he can tell me to be anywhere at 8AM, but if he tells me to be anywhere before 8AM he has to pay overtime.
He decided that it would be OK for me pick up my parts at 8AM. While I have never been in a union, I understand what Unions did, and how they helped workers when they came on the scene. If employers treat their workers fair there is no need for a union. If they treat their workers like you described above, don't be surprised if they unionize.
Just an FYI, I am not against the concept of Unions, But I believe that I can negotiate better for myself than anyone else can negotiate on my behalf.